The appearance of the infant before Zhou Yuantai shocked Wang Fan and the others. Clearly, such a bloody scene was repulsive and horrifying even to them. Furthermore, such methods were entirely incompatible with the techniques practiced by their Beast Taming Sect.
At this point, even Wang Fan and the others had to admit that the mastermind behind the slaughter of innocent children and maidens was none other than Zhou Yuantai standing before them.
"Sect Master, strike!" Seeing this, Wang Fan's hand seals shifted, and his spirit beast let out a roar.
"Strike. If you can capture him alive, try to do so," Zhou Haoran's eyes flickered with resolve as he slowly nodded.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan shook his head. It was questionable whether Zhou Haoran and the others could even defeat Zhou Yuantai, yet they were already considering showing him leniency.
As expected!
As soon as Zhou Haoran finished speaking, four spirit beasts at the peak of the ninth tier pounced towards Zhou Yuantai. However, upon touching the blood infant, their speeds were abruptly halted, and they were immobilized in mid-air.
Not only that, but the four spirit beasts also showed signs of being devoured.
"Not good! This blood infant is absorbing the power of our spirit beasts. If this continues, our lives will be in grave danger!" Wang Fan and Zhou Haoran, possessing beast taming skills, had summoned their strongest spirit beasts.
The two had formed an extremely intimate bond over many years. The moment the spirit beasts were restrained, Wang Fan and the others sensed it.
Panic etched itself onto each of their faces. If their spirit beasts were devoured, they would suffer a backlash. In severe cases, they could even perish on the spot.
"Heh heh, my grand plan, which I've been meticulously preparing for so long, wouldn't be without safeguards! Your spirit beasts will serve as compensation for the blood fetuses I've lost. Youngster, after I digest these spirit beasts, you will become a part of my blood infant!"
Zhou Yuantai let out a sinister laugh, glanced at Li Xuan, and then pointed again.
As Zhou Yuantai pointed, the blood infant's eyes emanated an even more bloodthirsty glow. The tangible aura of blood and gore emanating from its body instantly spread in all directions.
"Retreat quickly!"
Witnessing this, even Zhou Haoran could no longer remain calm. Moreover, as the power of their spirit beasts was being devoured, the auras of Zhou Haoran and the others began to wane. Seeing this, Zhou Haoran quickly shouted.
"It's too late to retreat now!" Zhou Yuantai sneered. The blood infant before him opened its mouth, and an immense suction force erupted.
The spirit beasts summoned by Zhou Haoran and the three others were instantly pulled towards the blood infant.
Li Xuan noticed that as the power of the four spirit beasts was devoured, the blood infant seemed to have grown larger. Zhou Yuantai, seeing this change, his eyes lit up with joy. He attacked again, and the suction force intensified.
"No! *Cough!* I... I can't feel the connection with my spirit beast!"
Wang Fan's face contorted in shock, turning ashen. He then coughed up a mouthful of blood, his aura becoming extremely weak. Zhou Haoran and the others were in a similar state, all suffering varying degrees of backlash.
"Originally, I had no intention of intervening. But seeing your depravity, not only preying on innocent mortals but also relentlessly seeking to devour your own brother, it's clear you've lost all basic human decency."
"In fact, you can no longer be considered human. The power that seems absolute to you is, in my eyes, as laughable as children squabbling."
Seeing the plight of Zhou Haoran and the others, Li Xuan, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, slowly took a few steps forward. He glanced at Zhou Haoran and the others, then waved his hand. The four spirit beasts were instantly pulled back by a tremendous force.
Simultaneously, Zhou Haoran and the others felt the connection with their spirit beasts once more. Despite their shock, they didn't hesitate and quickly formed hand seals, recalling their spirit beasts into their bodies.
"It seems I underestimated you. However, your strength is indeed greater than theirs. If you become nourishment for my blood infant, its power will undoubtedly increase significantly."
Upon seeing Li Xuan effortlessly negate the power of his blood infant with a mere wave of his hand, Zhou Yuantai's eyes showed a flicker of surprise.
However, after recalling that he had only utilized seventy percent of his power, he relaxed. His gaze towards Li Xuan was filled with covetousness.
Li Xuan sighed deeply, looking at Zhou Yuantai with a hint of pity. "Do you truly believe your blood infant is invincible?"
Without waiting for Zhou Yuantai to reply, Li Xuan pointed a finger at the blood infant. As he did, a square formation appeared in the surrounding space. Then, boundless spiritual energy surged from Li Xuan's body, and a cage of spiritual energy instantly trapped the blood infant in mid-air.
Furthermore, the pervasive aura of blood and gore retreated step by step under Li Xuan's golden light. In less than ten breaths, the world was restored to its original state.
"Now, do you still think your blood infant is invincible?" Having finished, Li Xuan calmly looked at Zhou Yuantai.
Zhou Yuantai's face was already filled with horror. He had clearly not expected such a powerful blood infant to be so easily restrained by this young man, who appeared to be no older than thirty.
"Impossible! How... how did you do that!" After repeatedly trying, Zhou Yuantai had no choice but to accept that his blood infant had completely severed its connection with him.
Moreover, Zhou Yuantai discovered that as his connection with the blood infant was broken, his own aura was rapidly declining.
"Because the power that seems incredibly strong in your eyes, in my eyes, is merely a futile attempt to twist an arm over a thigh," Li Xuan said, and his aura erupted.
A terrifying pressure spread outwards like a tide. The disciples of the Beast Taming Sect watching below immediately felt an irresistible force pressing down on them. In less than three breaths, these disciples knelt and bowed their heads.
Not only that, but Zhou Haoran and the others, who were not far from Li Xuan, were also struck with immense shock. They had clearly not anticipated Li Xuan's power to be so formidable.
"You... you are a peak Transcendent Realm cultivator!" Feeling Li Xuan's oppressive aura, Zhou Yuantai's expression turned ghastly, a look of utter disbelief appearing on his face.
*Cough!*
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhou Yuantai felt a sweetness in his throat and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Sect Master Zhou, your brother's cultivation has been crippled by me. The matter of the blood fetus involves many complexities. I hope Sect Master Zhou can approach this issue from a perspective of equality for all beings. The matter of how to deal with your brother is for you to decide."
"I hope that by the time I next visit the eastern region, such incidents will not occur."
As his words faded, Li Xuan's figure vanished from mid-air.